Vasilis Lazarou

Vasilis Lazarou was born in Methana, a small town in Greece. He later moved to the United States and now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Details about his life before poker are not widely documented, but his career in the game began in the early 1990s.

Lazarou first cashed in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 1990, the same year he won his first bracelet. That victory came in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud event, earning him $158,400. He captured his second bracelet in the 1997 WSOP, taking the $2,500 Seven Card Stud title for $169,000. In that same 1997 WSOP, he finished as the runner-up in the $5,000 Seven Card Stud event, narrowly missing a third bracelet.

Beyond his bracelet wins, Lazarou has enjoyed consistent success in various poker tournaments. As of 2012, his total tournament winnings exceeded $700,000, with 18 WSOP cashes accounting for $575,144 of that total. According to the WSOP.com profile, he has 28 career cashes at the WSOP, 7 final tables, and total earnings of $637,160 from the series. The Hendon Mob database reports his total live earnings at $761,048.

Lazarou is primarily a seven card stud player, but he has also cashed in a variety of other poker games, including mixed games and hold'em. His recent cashes include a 16th-place finish in the 2023 WSOP $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship for $17,913.

Lazarou is known for his disciplined, tight-aggressive style, particularly in limit games like seven card stud. He exemplifies patience and strong hand selection, rarely overplaying marginal holdings. His ability to read opponents and manage his stack in deep tournaments has made him a consistent performer at the WSOP.

As one of Greece's most accomplished poker players, Lazarou has inspired a generation of Greek enthusiasts. His two WSOP bracelets and steady presence on the live tournament circuit have cemented his reputation as a skilled and respected professional.

Lazarou continues to compete in high-stakes events, demonstrating his enduring skill. His 2023 WSOP cash in the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship highlights his ongoing relevance in the game he loves. While his primary focus remains seven card stud, his adaptability across poker variants ensures he remains a formidable opponent in any mixed-game lineup.

1. "21st World Series of Poker - WSOP 1990, 7 Card Stud". The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
2. "28th World Series of Poker - WSOP 1997, Seven-Card Stud". The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
3. "Vasilis Lazarou's profile on The Hendon Mob". The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
4. "Vasilis Lazarou". WSOP.com. Retrieved 6 April 2024.